On May 10, 1933, Louis Farrakhan (born Louis Eugene Walcott) was born in The Bronx, New York. A classically trained violinist and former calypso performer, Farrakhan would rise to national prominence as the leader of the Nation of Islam following Elijah Muhammad’s death. Known for his powerful oratory and controversial positions on race, religion, and politics, Farrakhan played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Nation in the late 1970s and 1980s. He was also the principal organizer of the historic Million Man March in 1995, which brought a million Black men to Washington, D.C., to promote unity, responsibility, and atonement.

On May 10, 1981, Hoyt W. Fuller, a prominent literary critic and editor, passed away at the age of 57 in Atlanta, Georgia. Fuller was a pioneering force in African American literature, best known for his role as editor of Black World (formerly Negro Digest) and later First World magazine. Through his work, Fuller championed writers such as Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, and Haki Madhubuti, helping to shape the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. He believed literature should be a vehicle for cultural identity, political resistance, and Pan-African unity. His legacy endures through the writers and movements he nurtured.

On May 11, 1968, nine caravans of poor Americans arrived in Washington, D.C., marking the first phase of the Poor People’s Campaign, a multiracial effort initiated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before his assassination. The caravans, which began their journey on May 2 from different regions across the country, picked up thousands of demonstrators along the way—Black, white, Latinx, and Native American activists united in demanding economic justice.

In Washington, demonstrators constructed Resurrection City, a shantytown of tents and wooden structures built on a 16-acre site near the Lincoln Memorial. It became both a symbol of protest and a temporary home for over 3,000 people, calling attention to systemic poverty in America. The campaign remains one of the most powerful yet underrecognized civil rights actions of the late 1960s.

On May 11, 1965, Black citizens in Norfolk, Virginia, organized a mass meeting to demand equal rights and full access to the ballot. This gathering was part of a broader wave of civil rights mobilization following the Selma-to-Montgomery marches and growing national momentum toward the Voting Rights Act. The Norfolk rally reflected a regional movement, as additional conventions were held in Petersburg (June 6), Vicksburg (June 19), Alexandria (August 3), Nashville (August 7–11), Richmond (September 18), Jackson, and Raleigh (September 29–October 3). These meetings galvanized grassroots activism across the South and pressured local and federal leaders to address voter suppression and systemic inequality.

On May 11, 1934, Sierra Leonean artist Asadata Dafora premiered his groundbreaking opera-dance drama Kykunkor (The Witch Woman) at the Little Theater in New York City. This production was revolutionary as it was the first opera presented in the United States that featured authentic African dances and music, performed in an African language by a predominantly African-born cast. Kykunkor challenged prevailing stereotypes and opened American audiences to the richness of African cultural expressions, laying the foundation for future African and African American artists in the realm of concert dance.

On May 11, 1985, the Philadelphia Police Department dropped a bomb on the headquarters of MOVE, a Black liberation group, during a standoff in the Cobbs Creek neighborhood. The bombing resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including five children, and destroyed over 60 homes, leaving more than 250 residents homeless. This marked the first time a U.S. city government deployed explosives on its own citizens. The incident sparked widespread outrage and remains a stark example of excessive force used against Black communities.

A quick timeline:

• May 13, 1985 (morning): Police attempted to evict members of MOVE from their rowhouse at 6221 Osage Avenue using tear gas and water cannons.

• Later that day: Police dropped a bomb (C-4 attached to a gasoline canister) from a helicopter onto the home.

• The fire from the explosion spread and was allowed to burn, destroying 61 homes and killing 11 people, including 5 children.

On May 11, 1895, Reverend R.H. Boyd founded the National Baptist Publishing Board in Nashville, Tennessee. At a time when Black churches were largely excluded from white-owned religious publishing houses, this institution became a critical outlet for African American theological writing, Sunday school materials, and spiritual guidance. It empowered Black authors and pastors by giving them control over religious narratives and educational materials. The Board would go on to publish one of the oldest Black newspapers in the U.S., The National Baptist Voice, and became a key driver in African American literacy, self-determination, and religious organization. Its legacy lives on in the cultural and educational formation of millions within the Black Baptist community.

Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice, was born on May 11, 1908, in Baltimore, Maryland. As the chief legal architect of the civil rights movement, Marshall’s legacy is best known through his victory in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which led to the desegregation of public schools. Before joining the Supreme Court, he founded the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and argued 32 cases before the Court, winning 29 of them. His legal strategy dismantled institutional racism and advanced equal protection under the law. Marshall served on the Supreme Court from 1967 to 1991, consistently advocating for civil liberties, the rights of the accused, and economic justice. His life remains a cornerstone in Black legal and political history.

On May 11, 1950, Jackie Robinson, the first Black Major League Baseball player of the modern era, testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Though the hearing was focused on communism, Robinson used the platform to speak powerfully against racial injustice and segregation in the military and American society. He defended civil rights activist Paul Robeson, while also emphasizing the patriotism of African Americans fighting for equality at home. Robinson’s testimony revealed the complexities of the Cold War era, where Black leaders were pressured to align with the U.S. government narrative while still advocating for civil rights. His boldness further positioned him as not just a sports hero, but a civil rights pioneer.

Langston Hughes, one of the foremost figures of the Harlem Renaissance, passed away on May 11, 1967, in New York City. His poetry, plays, and essays captured the everyday joys, sorrows, and spiritual resilience of Black America. Through works like The Weary Blues and Montage of a Dream Deferred, Hughes pioneered a literary voice that was distinctly African American, often blending jazz rhythms with social critique. Hughes believed art should be a tool for political expression and cultural pride, making him a beacon for future generations of Black writers and activists. His death marked the end of a creative era, but his influence endures in literature, education, and Black consciousness.

On May 11, 1946, Ruben Um Nyobé, a Cameroonian teacher and nationalist, presented a petition to the United Nations on behalf of Cameroon’s independence movement. He argued passionately against French colonial rule and demanded recognition of the right of African peoples to self-govern. As leader of the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC), Um Nyobé advocated non-violence and unity among ethnic groups, laying the foundation for modern Cameroon’s sovereignty. Though he was assassinated by French colonial forces in 1958, his advocacy ignited a wave of anti-colonial sentiment across Africa and made him a martyr of Pan-African resistance.

Doris \”Dorie\” Miller, a U.S. Navy mess attendant who became a national hero during the attack on Pearl Harbor, was born on May 11, 1916, in Waco, Texas. Despite not being trained in combat due to the Navy\’s segregationist policies, Miller manned anti-aircraft guns during the attack and helped move injured sailors to safety. His bravery earned him the Navy Cross, making him the first African American to receive the honor. Miller’s heroism challenged racial stereotypes and was a key catalyst for the eventual integration of the U.S. military. His legacy continues to inspire generations of African Americans in service.

On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley, the Jamaican singer and global icon, passed away at just 36. More than a musician, Marley was a spiritual and political force who used reggae as a vehicle for Pan-Africanism, Black liberation, and Rastafari culture. Songs like Redemption Song, Get Up, Stand Up, and Africa Unite became anthems of resistance and self-empowerment. Marley’s music resonated not just in the Caribbean, but globally, particularly in African liberation movements and urban Black America. His death marked the loss of a cultural revolutionary whose messages of unity, justice, and resistance continue to echo in global movements today.

Born on May 11, 1872, Victoria Earle Matthews was a pioneering journalist, anti-lynching activist, and advocate for Black working women. A former enslaved child who became a respected author and speaker, Matthews founded the White Rose Mission in New York City in 1897 to support Black migrant women arriving from the South. The mission provided housing, literacy classes, and job training, at a time when Black women were often excluded from mainstream social services. Matthews’ work bridged the worlds of social reform and Black intellectual activism, linking race, gender, and class in her advocacy. She remains a forgotten but vital figure in the history of Black social welfare work.

On May 11, 1996, the U.S. Congress officially reauthorized and enhanced protections for the George Washington Carver National Monument in Diamond, Missouri—the first national monument dedicated to an African American and the first to honor a non-president. Carver, born into slavery, revolutionized agriculture through his research on peanuts, sweet potatoes, and crop rotation, promoting sustainable farming for poor Black communities. The monument serves as a tribute to his scientific contributions and his philosophy of education, service, and racial uplift. The 1996 redesignation renewed public awareness of Carver’s impact and reinforced his place in both agricultural history and the broader arc of African American achievement.

On May 11, 1987, Paul Boateng was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Brent South, marking a pivotal moment in British politics. A British citizen of Ghanaian descent, Boateng broke racial and institutional barriers, later becoming the UK’s first Black cabinet minister when appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2002. His 1987 win occurred during a pivotal general election that saw four Black MPs elected for the first time in British history. Boateng’s political presence inspired future generations of Black British leaders and reinforced the importance of diverse representation in UK governance. His subsequent role as the British High Commissioner to South Africa further emphasized his international impact. His journey from civil rights lawyer to policymaker embodied the shifting tides of post-colonial Britain.

On May 11, 1960, anti-apartheid activist Helen Joseph survived a failed assassination attempt outside her home in Johannesburg. Though white, Joseph was a fierce ally in the struggle for Black South African rights and was deeply involved with leaders of the African National Congress (ANC), especially the Federation of South African Women. Known for her role in the 1956 Women’s March against pass laws, Joseph endured government harassment and house arrest. The attempt on her life—believed to be linked to her political activism—reflected the brutal tactics used against those who stood in solidarity with Black liberation movements. Her unwavering courage made her a symbol of interracial resistance against apartheid, and May 11 serves as a solemn reminder of the risks taken by allies in the global fight for racial justice.

On May 11, 1921, Sir W. Arthur Lewis was born in Castries, Saint Lucia. He would go on to become the first Black person to win the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, awarded in 1979. His groundbreaking work on economic development, particularly in underdeveloped countries, reshaped global perspectives on poverty, labor, and industrialization. Lewis\’s “dual-sector model” emphasized the structural shift from agrarian to industrial economies, influencing development policy across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. A professor at Princeton and the London School of Economics, Lewis also served as an advisor to several African nations post-independence. His legacy endures in the institutions named after him and in economic policies rooted in empowerment over exploitation. May 11 commemorates the birth of a true intellectual pioneer in global Black history.

On May 11, 1893, Trinidadian lawyer Henry Sylvester-Williams publicly proposed a conference to address the global concerns of African-descended peoples. Though the conference would not take place until 1900 in London, the proposal on this day laid the foundation for the Pan-African movement. Williams envisioned a forum where intellectuals, activists, and leaders from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Americas could unite to combat colonialism, racism, and economic injustice. His efforts influenced the likes of W.E.B. Du Bois and Kwame Nkrumah. The idea sparked cross-continental collaboration and ideological exchange that fueled the 20th-century decolonization movements. May 11 thus represents the birth of a global Pan-African consciousness rooted in unity and resistance.

François Bozizé, future president of the Central African Republic, was born on May 11, 1951, in Mouila, Gabon. His presidency (2003–2013) marked a turbulent era in the country\’s post-colonial history, shaped by coups, international interventions, and internal strife. Bozizé came to power through a military coup but was later elected in 2005 and re-elected in 2011. His tenure focused on stabilizing the economy and managing armed conflict, though his leadership drew criticism for alleged corruption and authoritarianism. In 2013, he was ousted in a rebellion that led to further instability. While controversial, Bozizé’s rule is a key chapter in understanding the challenges of post-independence governance in Central Africa. His May 11 birthdate is a reminder of the complex legacies left by African heads of state navigating the aftermath of colonization.

On May 11, 2000, the final volume of South Africa\’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report was released. Chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the TRC was established after the end of apartheid to address the nation’s violent past through restorative justice rather than retribution. Victims and perpetrators were given a platform to testify, confess, and seek healing. The release of the report marked a historic effort to reckon with institutionalized racism and human rights violations. While imperfect, the TRC was hailed globally as a model for post-conflict societies. Its findings helped shape future conversations on justice and reconciliation across the African continent and in other nations emerging from oppression. May 11 became a landmark date in the moral reckoning of a nation seeking truth, dignity, and healing.

On May 11, 1982, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) officially adopted Africa Day as an annual observance across its member nations. Though the African Union celebrates Africa Day on May 25, CARICOM\’s early recognition two weeks prior reflected the region’s deep cultural and ancestral ties to Africa. The celebration on this date involved educational programs, cultural displays, and political reflections on the diasporic identity of Caribbean peoples. It aimed to strengthen Pan-African unity and economic cooperation between the Caribbean and African nations. For countries like Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, Africa Day on May 11 helped deepen awareness of Black internationalism and cultural pride.

On May 11, 1946, Kwame Nkrumah returned to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) after years studying and organizing in the United States and the UK. Upon his return, he joined the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) as a general secretary, quickly becoming a leading voice for independence. Nkrumah would later break away to form the Convention People’s Party (CPP), which led Ghana to independence in 1957—the first in sub-Saharan Africa. His return on May 11 marks a pivotal moment in African liberation history. A Pan-Africanist at heart, Nkrumah’s global ideas and local leadership sparked a continental wave of decolonization. His arrival back in Ghana foreshadowed a political earthquake that would reshape Africa.

Jean-Baptiste Belley, a former slave turned revolutionary leader and French legislator, died on May 11, 1871. Born in Senegal and enslaved in Saint-Domingue (Haiti), Belley gained his freedom and fought in the Haitian Revolution. He became the first Black man elected to the French National Convention in 1794, advocating for the abolition of slavery in France’s colonies. Belley’s portrait—depicting him with the bust of Enlightenment thinker Guillaume-Thomas Raynal—became an iconic image of Black liberation and intellectual equality. Though largely forgotten by mainstream European history, Belley\’s life bridged colonial resistance, Enlightenment philosophy, and revolutionary action. His death on May 11 offers an occasion to reflect on early Black political agency within European power structures.

On May 11, 1963, Nguy?n V?n Tr?i, a young Vietnamese electrician and revolutionary with Afro-Asian heritage, was sentenced to death by South Vietnam’s military court for plotting to assassinate U.S. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara during a visit to Saigon. Tr?i was a member of the National Liberation Front and his actions became a symbol of global anti-colonial resistance. Though rarely discussed in Western or even pan-African history, Tr?i’s African lineage—likely from 19th-century Afro-Caribbean or African sailors who settled in Southeast Asia—links him to a broader diasporic struggle against imperialism. His calm defiance at execution inspired international solidarity, particularly in Cuba, where a school and street still bear his name. Tr?i’s story expands the narrative of Black resistance beyond the Atlantic, revealing how African-descended people played critical, though overlooked, roles in Asian liberation movements. His legacy lives at the intersection of global Black identity and anti-imperial action.